Pay It Forward: A Training in Namakkal

A three day technology training in building websites with WordPress at PGP college in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu

By Alexandra de Vogel, Assistant Trainer

With a background in Industrial design and innovation management, being part of this training was a first experience for me. But now I know that it will definitely not be my last experience in this field. These three days in Namakkal have been eye-opening, thanks to the 55 students who all are so keen on learning all about technology and websites, and who, in their turn could mean a lot to their own communities.

Creating a webpage in no more than three days. That is what the students from the Arts and Science department at PGP college in Namakkal have learnt early December. With an amazing enthusiasm and motivation the students were ready to learn and build on the prospects for their future.

Many relevant topics in the universe of web development are touched upon, such as websites, databases, servers, front and back end etc. However, the three underlying takeaways have been: Confidence, Learning to learn and Webdesign.

Confidence

Learning a new skill starts with being comfortable and confident with yourself and your own skills. This training allowed the students to prepare multiple presentations and speak in front of 50 to 60 people, for the first time in their life. Next to presenting the websites they developed, the presentations touched various subjects such as local education systems and worldwide women’s rights. Wow, you could just see the confidence growing and the comfort zone expanding each day!

Learning to Learn

Give people a fish and they will have food for one day. Give people a fishing rod and they will eat for the rest of their life. This is the same with learning, I believe. If you learn how to learn, the world is at your feet. Learning about the basic elements in web development is the first step. Learning how to use technology to enhance your website gives you the freedom to create whatever you like. The students have learnt about the basic skills in developing a WordPress website through working together in teams, learning from each other and being curious for more. Always stay curious.

Web Design

With the extremely low costs of developing a website with WordPress, there is really no reason for a company not to have a website. So, when you can build websites with WordPress, you can be very powerful these days. The basic skills the students have learnt during the three day training, will provide them with the first steps in finding a future job in the immense world of website development. If you search for jobs in web development with WordPress, the list of opportunities is immense. Not only in the business world, but also for social purposes. Keep your skills up to date by helping out in your community or in organizations and groups where they need it.

Editors’ Note: This blog post is woefully delayed. It should have been published at the end of January, instead it is seeing the light of the day in May. We really have been that swamped. AI’s ag tech Network Krishi Janani (prototype launch Jan – Feb) and youth engagement platform Shakthi (closed beta launch Feb – Mar) both going live one after the other. However, apologies to our readers and Alexandra, our wonderful assistant trainer.

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A three day technology training in building websites with WordPress at PGP college in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu

By Alexandra de Vogel, Assistant Trainer

With a background in Industrial design and innovation management, being part of this training was a first experience for me. But now I know that it will definitely not be my last experience in this field. These three days in Namakkal …

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